If you are not convinced that saving is the best path to gain financial prosperity, TheSmartestWay to Save: Why You Can’t Hang on to Money and What to Do About It wants to convince you. The 205-page book persuades with facts, quotes, and lessons that are down-to-earth and basic. Following all their advice is the hard part. http://www.niconail.info

I learned about this video through SpendLessTV, which shares clips about saving money from all sorts of stations. This 4:29 video follows filmmaker and director Karney Hatch as he fights Bank of America over his overdraft fees, something I’ve been writing about. I highly recommend it! http://www.niconail.info

Debit-card-sticker-in-window-CC1Remember my post about debit cards being a cash cow for banks? Well the NY Times story that inspired the post caused major change. The paper reports today that Chase and Bank of America plan to “drastically overhaul their debit card programs…changing the way they credit transactions and allowing customers to opt out of overdraft protection.” http://www.niconail.info

Banks earn more money from debit card fees than credit card fees and they often manipulate usage patterns to maximize their profit – and our pain, says a front page story in today’s NY Times. http://www.niconail.info

Karma-man-meditating-CCThe Internet has made many things free and thanks to CreditKarma we can now add to that list credit score. I spoke to CreditKarma founder Ken Lin about the average credit card debt load of $6,818, how he makes money, and failing grades. http://www.niconail.info

A reader named Fred wrote in with this burning question: Can I get a mortgage if i do not have a job? There are so many factors to consider. Would you be kind enough as to give me some pointers as what to look for or avoid? Please help me. Thank you. Fred, my short answer is not likely. The long answer is…http://www.niconail.info

Wal-Mart is hiring 22,000 workers across the country, including 1,000 or more workers in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia,” according to a CNN story. Because of the recession, however, I’m wondering if people are applying for and taking jobs they wouldn’t otherwise consider. http://www.niconail.info

Ever wonder who we as a country owe money to? Foreigners are the answer about a third of the time. Of the United States’ $11 trillion debt, $3.3 trillion is owed to the following countries…http://www.niconail.info